President Obama told the UN that the US will stay engaged in the Middle East and North Africa, with “all elements of our power, including military force,” to ensure the free flow of energy from the region, dismantle terrorist networks, and forbid the use of chemical weapons or WMD. He also called for “consequences” if Syria fails to abide by the US-Russian deal to surrender its chemical weapons. The US and Russia have not yet agreed on a draft UN resolution on Syria’s chemical weapons; Russia objects to the inclusion of a threat of military force. President Obama announced increased humanitarian aid for Syrian refugees and countries affected by the Syrian conflict. US officials are sending law-enforcement equipment to Nairobi.
